Chronicle Covers: It’s true, SF Opera’s founder died onstage

The Chronicle’s front page from Aug. 31, 1953, covers the death of San Francisco Opera conductor Gaetano Merola.

Photo: The Chronicle 1953

What a way to go.

The Chronicle’s front page from Aug. 31, 1953, covers the death of San Francisco Opera founder Gaetano Merola, whose life ended while he was doing what he loved.

“Merola, founder and general director of the San Francisco Opera Company, collapsed and died on the stage of the Sigmund Stern Grove yesterday afternoon, while conducting a concert of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra,” the story read.

“He was 72 years old.”

Born in 1881 in Italy, Merola moved to San Francisco and started the company after conductor stints in New York and London. He was at the helm of the San Francisco Opera when the War Memorial Opera House opened in 1932.

During his final time onstage, Merola was doing what he had done for decades.

“The concert had reached its semi-final selection, the ‘Un Bel Di’ aria from ‘Madame Butterfly,’ with Brunetta Mazzolini as soloist,” read the story by Chronicle Byline Hall of Fame inductee Alfred Frankenstein. “About halfway through the aria, Mr. Merola fell forward. He was instantly surrounded by members of the orchestra and his Opera Company staff, while the audience stood, silent, anxious, and unbelieving.

“After a few minutes, Dr. Henry L. Davis, who had been in the audience and had come forward to administer first aid, pronounced Mr. Merola dead.

(Click to enlarge)

“‘Ladies and gentlemen, the concert is over,’ said the announcer through the loudspeaker system.”

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See more front pages: Go to SFChronicle.com/covers to search a database of hundreds of Chronicle Covers articles that showcase the newspaper’s history.

Note: An earlier version of this story indicated that it was Merola’s final night onstage. The concert was in the afternoon.